“So what can I do for you?” she asked, as he settled into the chair. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told him she had a lot to do today. She wanted to handle his issue and have him gone as soon as possible. Of her to-do list of eleven items she was all the way at number three…with most of the day already gone.
Jason leaned forward and laid a folder on Dana’s desk. “Can you look at this for me? It’s my presentation to Finson and Sons. I really want to impress them.”
Dana pulled the folder toward her and flipped it open. There were about a dozen sheets of paper in it, the miniatures of six PowerPoint slides on each. She leafed through. “Seems okay to me,” she said with a shrug. “And besides, you’ve presented our company to new clients lots of times before. Why are you so nervous about this one?”
“Because this is the biggest account I’ve ever handled. This one account is worth over a million dollars, Dana. I can’t afford to lose them.”
“You can’t lose what you don’t have yet,” Dana began but when she saw the look of worry on Jason’s face she relented and gave him a smile of encouragement. “I know this is important to you, Jason, and to the whole company, but I honestly don’t see why you’re so worried.”
“But I’ve never had a client that’s so exacting. They want to know everything, and in detail. Some of the stuff I don’t even know myself.”
Dana frowned. “Like what?”
“Like a five-year ROI analysis based on our financial experience in the marketplace and our leasing contracts over the last five years. They’re wary about signing the lease without having their finance people look into the money-making prospects, especially on an island where politics can have a major impact on profit potential.”
Dana grimaced and nodded slowly. “They’ve done their homework, that’s pretty clear. They’re asking for a lot, but who can blame them? Seven figures is a lot to commit to one project.”
“And that’s why I need your help.” Jason shifted forward on the seat. “I need as much information as possible, real numbers from our historical data. I have to convince them that this is a great deal.”
She bit her lower lip, deep in thought, then she tapped her pen on the desk. “I think I know where we can start. I’ll pull some historical data from my computer archives but I also have a file of information that should be helpful.” She got up and turned toward the file cabinet but then she paused. “There’s just one thing,” she said as she looked at Jason who was relaxing in the chair, looking relieved.
“Yes?”
“You need to run your revised presentation by Rock before your next meeting with Finson and Sons.” She gave him a pointed look. “Some of this may be sensitive information so you have to get approval first, okay?”
He put his hands up. “Okay. Whatever you say. You’re the boss.” Then he grinned. “Or maybe the mini-boss. But no matter, your word is my command.”
Dana rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
When she got to the file cabinet she flipped through the files until she came to the one that had some of the information that Jason needed. “Okay,” she said, turning back to him, “you can get started with this file while I…Ow!” The folder fell from her stunned fingers and she clutched her elbow.
“Are you all right?” Jason was out of his chair and by her side in a fraction of a second. “What happened?” he asked, his voice full of concern.
“My elbow,” she gasped. “I bumped it on the edge of the cabinet.”
“Oh, shoot. It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry.” He reached out and gently touched her arm. “Let me see.”
“It’s okay,” she said, her voice an agonized whisper. “I just bumped my funny bone. I’ll be all right. Just give me…a minute.” Her elbow was still numb and smarting like hell, and she gave an involuntary groan.
“My poor Dana,” Jason crooned, “so brave. Come here.”
Before she could object he’d pulled her into his arms, lowered his head and pressed gentle lips to hers. Shocked, she couldn’t even move. And to add to her confusion, the kiss was tentative and soft, almost respectful, definitely not what she had expected from pushy, persistent Jason Blake. But nice as the kiss was, it was inappropriate and she had to put a stop to it. Immediately.
She’d put her hand on Jason’s shoulders, ready to push him away, when she heard a soft chuckle that made her heart lurch. Her gaze flew to the open office door and there stood Rock, his lips twisted in what looked like dry amusement.
Mortified, Dana gripped Jason’s shoulders and shoved hard, making him stumble backward into the chair he’d vacated. She didn’t even spare him a glance. Her face hot with embarrassment, her eyes were glued to her boss who had caught her off guard…again.
Rock folded his arms across his chest, filling the doorway with his presence, and this time all traces of amusement were gone. His face was as unyielding as the Great Wall of China.
“Gosh, sorry.” Jason fumbled then righted himself, his eyes wide with the shock of seeing the head of the corporation standing in the doorway. “I…I guess I’d better go now.” He said the words but he made no move to approach Rock until the bigger man stepped into the office, making way for his escape. With an almost comical look of relief he dashed out of the office suite, slamming the door shut behind him.
And even then, Rock did not release her from his glare. For a moment he said nothing and when he finally spoke his voice was flint-hard and ice-cold. “Is this the way you carried on behind Richard’s back?”
Dana sucked in her breath, indignation rising in her chest. “Carried on? I never-”
“Save it for the idiot who’ll believe it.” Sharp as a knife his words sliced through hers, cutting her off midstream. “Whatever is going on between you and that Blake fellow, take it out of the office. I’m running a business here, not a dating service.”